Then all the boys laughed at Benny, at which Benny blushed, and the teacher rung his bell, which called in no one but Paul. Then the school came to order; but most of the boys blundered over their lessons that afternoon, for their minds were full of what they had to tell to boys that attended other schools, or did not go to school at all.
The visit of Paul to the prison was made that very afternoon, and before night nearly every family in the town had heard of how it had come to pass, and determined that Paul Grayson was a noble fellow, no matter how much mystery there might be about him. Benny Mallow, having learned in advance that the visit was contemplated—for Paul could not get rid of him after school except by telling him—Benny waited at a corner near the jail until Paul and the teacher came out. He hid himself for a moment or two, so that Paul would not think he had been watching him; then he hurried around a block, intercepted the couple, and made some excuse to stop Paul for a moment. As soon as Mr. Morton had gone ahead a little way, Benny, with his great blue eyes wider open than ever, asked, “How was it?”
“It was dreadful,” said Paul, whose eyes were red, as if he had been crying.
“Then you won’t ever go again, will you?” said Benny, giving his friend’s hand a sympathetic squeeze.
“Yes, I will,” exclaimed Paul, so sharply that Benny was frightened. He looked up inquiringly, and saw Paul’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll go again, and often, now that I’ve been teased into doing it; but, Benny Mallow, if you tell a single boy that I cried, I’ll never speak to you again in this world.”
“I won’t—oh, I won’t,” said Benny, and he kept his word—for weeks.
PAUL GRAYSON AND BENNY MALLOW.
Chapter IX.
BENNY’S PARTY.
